Investor Signposts: Week Beginning February 27 2011

From

The big picture The role of a business economist is to educate, inform and occasionally entertain. But most people merely want business economists to explain what key issues mean in

continue reading

Building slumps; but renovations in vogue

From

Construction work done Construction work done rose by 0.8 per cent in the December quarter, due solely to higher engineering activity. Residential building fell by 1.1 per cent in the

continue reading

Goldilocks wages; RBA Governor caution

From

Labour Price Index; RBA Governor speech Wages rose by 1.0 per cent in the December quarter, slightly above market expectations. In annual terms wages are up 3.9 per cent on

continue reading

Motorists need to watch Middle East jitters

From

Weekly Petrol Price Petrol prices continue to tracking sideways. According to the Australian Institute of Petroleum, the national average Australian price of unleaded petrol rose by 0.3 cents a litre

continue reading

Retailers benefit as consumers continue to spend

From

CBA Business Spending index The Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator (BSI) eased yet again in trend terms in January, but it certainly wasn’t all bad news. In fact only a

continue reading

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning February 20 2011

From

The big picture One of the biggest issues at present is the conservatism of Aussie consumers. Australians are saving again, rather than spending. And rather than buying goods on credit

continue reading

Unleaded petrol sales slump to 13-year lows

From

Petrol Sales; RBA Speech; Imports Petrol sales in the September quarter were the lowest for any September quarter in five years, as consumers and businesses focussed on cutting costs. Unleaded

continue reading

Car sales slide as buyer caution emerges

From

New car sales Australian new car sales recorded a modest fall in January. Car sales fell by 1.9 per cent in January – marking the biggest monthly fall in six

continue reading

Global financial leaders offer optimistic outlook for markets

From

PortfolioConstruction Forum Markets Summit 2011 provides investors with valuable insight from the experts Top financial services experts provided investors with an optimistic view of the current financial climate at the

continue reading

Chinese inflation remains a threat

From

Chinese inflation data Inflation prints below forecast. China’s annual inflation rate lifted modestly in January, from 4.6 per cent to 4.9 per cent, but was still below expectations centred on

continue reading